Situated high on the Marlborough downs, Barbury hosts the first of four race meetings this Sunday November 26th, writes Jake Exelby.
The season kicks off with the Novice Riders race, sponsored by Dodson & Horrell, now in their 31st year of support for the sport, longer than any other sponsor. The opener has 15 entries, including the useful former Philip Hobbs chaser Cloud Creeper, a first ride between the flags for Emilie Hardy. Whilst he's still highly rated, he's been unraced for over a year and itr may pay to focus more on those with recent form in Points, including Laura Horsfall's recent purchase Mr Bingley, Silvergrove on whom Tim Gredley won four Points last year, and Limpopo Tom, of whom trainer Fran Nimmo said this week,"Kerrie Squire, who has worked for us for the past 2 years, bought Limpopo Tom at Ascot over the summer to give here a few rides in Points. She's done loads of schooling and he's been working very nicely."
Tim Gredley has 2 potential mounts, the other being the ex-David Pipe Just Cause, and another rider with a choice of mounts is Connor Brace, who impressed on his first outings over fences last weekend and could make a quick reappearance on William Money, second in the Open at Bishop's Court. His other entry is Robin Des People.
Annabel Wheatley's Dusk Til Dawn has run well in good company on both his starts in Points. "Stays forever" accroding to his trainer, and should appreciate the conditions. Promising Will Marshall is an interesting engagement. Express du Berlais - "I've always liked him and he'll enjoy the ground" - runs for Laura Thomas and Kate Gowing, who has been riding out for Laura, is another booking to catch the eye.
The Tony Kemp Memorial Intermediate Race is sponsored by Pointing stalwart Heather Kemp in honour of her late husband. The race is a qualifier for the Connolly's Red Mills Final at Cheltenham on MAy 4th next year, and has attracted 14 entries, all of whom have form between the flags, and 11 of whom are rated within 10lbs of top-rated In The Hold.
This suggests a competitive race and the winner could be determined by fitness and an ability to handle prospective testing conditions. Air Glider and Ballyfore Cross both won first time out, but have since changed stables, while ChasforGold, Flights and Sarazen Bridge have course form, the latter winning here in February. Finally, while Peter Bull's Margot Fonteyne hasn't run since April of last year, she showed promise in her debut season and could dance to victory.
The Mixed Open has a new sponsor in the shapre of Equine Health Centre Ltd. Among the 25 entries in the feature event are Cheltneham Hunter Chase winner Lilbitluso (Joe O'Shea) and Full Trottle (Laura Thomas), and last season's John Corbett winner Now Ben. Trainer Phil Rwoley said of his course winning 9 year old, "He's really well and there's not a lot else to say about him. I'm happy with him although he may need the run." The Aintree Foxhunters is the long term target for Full Trottle, and Laura reported, "He's in really good form and misbehaving enough to tell me he's well. He goes on most ground and I hope he's in as good form as last year."
Now Ben was fourth in a driving finish here last January behind Vincitore, under Sarah Rippon. "The Ripper", who trains from Henrietta Knight's illustrious East Hendred yard, is hoping for a repeat. "I'm champing at the bit and on my way to the gym right now!" she laughed. "I've been trying hard to keep fit and riding a lot for Harry Whittington. The horse is super-fit and raring to go, but I said something unprintable when I saw the entries and will be keeping an eye on the ground, If it's soft, we'll go."
Sacre Toi showed useful pointing form last year and will be a debut ride for 16 year old George Daly, nephew of trainer Henry. "George rode a pony that I trained for his mother Louise," new trainer Julie Mansell exaplianed how she came by the horse. "He's got experience in pony racing and hunting, and (husband) David thought he'd learn more in an Open than among Novices."
Talking of professional trainers, two faces more usually seen under Rules will be represneted as owners on Sunday: Nicky Henderson with Ericht for daughter Camilla, and Oliver Sherwood with Rouge Et Blanc. Big Casino and Desert Spring are others dropping back from the professional game, while Mon Parrain or Pentiffic have Hunter Chase form.
"Why is it raining?" lamented bubbly trainer Fran Moller, who ideally wants good ground for her DanDan. However, she's pleased to be getting him to the track in one piece, remarking,"He had a nasty fall at Andoversford last seaon and the vets were pessimistic. But he's only nine, so I carried on with him. He had a nice long holiday, has been taken steadily and schooled well last week."
The 21 race Jockey Club Mares Maiden Series starts with 12 entered for the Barbury event, co-sponsored by NAF. Richard Bandey and Lynn Redman are double-handed here, and the Wolverton handler reported of his two entries Bastante and Elska: "David Phelan bought her at Doncaster, and I liked her in the catalogue as a potential broodmare. She was placed in Ireland. Elska on the other hand has grown and strengthened since last season. We've had her wind done, and she's a proper mare now".
The best pointing form on show is shown by Axelle Wall's Festival Dawn, second at Chaddesley, of whom Will Biddick is an intriguing booking, whilst Sally Alner's Big Love has placed form over hurdles for Harry Fry. Katie Lee's The Spider Catcher is highly regarded, and Phil Rowley is sweet on the chances of Pique Rock, , who previously ran for Alan King. "She'sa lovely filly by King's Theatre," he confirmed. "She ran well in the Mares Bumper at Cheltenham then lost her way. We broke her in for Juliet Minton, so we knew her already when we took her back."
The closing Maiden is again sponsored by the Valley Equine Hospital at Lambourn and has 19 entries, four of which are double-entered in the Mares contest. Two who stand out on Pointing form are Richard Bandey's Irish Legionnaire, second at Kingston Blount in his final outing last season, and Troed Y Melin, runner-up three times in 2016-17, including here on his debut. Several of these have fom under Rules, notably Draco's Code (Gary Moore), and Champagne Ginger and Sulamani The Late (DanSkelton). Locally based Laura Thomas said of the latter, "he may not run if the ground cuts up but I bought him at Doncaster in May and I'm really excited by him. He's been my little project from day one and he;s not put a foot wrong yet."
It often pays to look out for a lightly raced type in races like these and a few come from stables with a good first time out record, including Nicky Sheppard's Playbook, Sally Alner's Truly Spoken,and U No Like for Mary Vestey, who had success last year with Silver Roque. Keep an eye too on Phil Rowley's unraced four year The Sting, by Scorpion. "He's a nice busy little horse," Phil reported. "Warren Greatrex had his full brother Potter's Approach, and he'll run if he schools well this week."
Last season's meeting saw the successful introduction of a Conditions race for horses that have not won for two years, set up to cater for older types who would find it difficult in Open company, and is sponsored for the first time by The Surrey Cook. Just six have been entered with Jason Warner's American Legend highest rated on Pointing form. Milled is also consistent in Points, while Shangani was the same for Venetia Williams under Rules, but the most interesting run ner is Fran Nimmo's Rendezvous Peak, under Will Biddick, in the absence of the injured Tabitha Worsley. "We bought hm from Gordon Elliott at Ascot for the Picnic Partnership we run (a few shares still available!)" confirmed Fran. "We think he'll benefit form a switch to a smaller yard, and although he can be a bit free, we hope he'll go close if he stays."
The current going is Good To Soft.
Situated high on the Marlborough downs, Barbury hosts the first of four race meetings this Sunday November 26th, writes Jake Exelby.
The season kicks off with the Novice Riders race, sponsored by Dodson & Horrell, now in their 31st year of support for the sport, longer than any other sponsor. The opener has 15 entries, including the useful former Philip Hobbs chaser Cloud Creeper, a first ride between the flags for Emilie Hardy. Whilst he's still highly rated, he's been unraced for over a year and itr may pay to focus more on those with recent form in Points, including Laura Horsfall's recent purchase Mr Bingley, Silvergrove on whom Tim Gredley won four Points last year, and Limpopo Tom, of whom trainer Fran Nimmo said this week,"Kerrie Squire, who has worked for us for the past 2 years, bought Limpopo Tom at Ascot over the summer to give here a few rides in Points. She's done loads of schooling and he's been working very nicely."
Tim Gredley has 2 potential mounts, the other being the ex-David Pipe Just Cause, and another rider with a choice of mounts is Connor Brace, who impressed on his first outings over fences last weekend and could make a quick reappearance on William Money, second in the Open at Bishop's Court. His other entry is Robin Des People.
Annabel Wheatley's Dusk Til Dawn has run well in good company on both his starts in Points. "Stays forever" accroding to his trainer, and should appreciate the conditions. Promising Will Marshall is an interesting engagement. Express du Berlais - "I've always liked him and he'll enjoy the ground" - runs for Laura Thomas and Kate Gowing, who has been riding out for Laura, is another booking to catch the eye.
The Tony Kemp Memorial Intermediate Race is sponsored by Pointing stalwart Heather Kemp in honour of her late husband. The race is a qualifier for the Connolly's Red Mills Final at Cheltenham on MAy 4th next year, and has attracted 14 entries, all of whom have form between the flags, and 11 of whom are rated within 10lbs of top-rated In The Hold.
This suggests a competitive race and the winner could be determined by fitness and an ability to handle prospective testing conditions. Air Glider and Ballyfore Cross both won first time out, but have since changed stables, while ChasforGold, Flights and Sarazen Bridge have course form, the latter winning here in February. Finally, while Peter Bull's Margot Fonteyne hasn't run since April of last year, she showed promise in her debut season and could dance to victory.
The Mixed Open has a new sponsor in the shapre of Equine Health Centre Ltd. Among the 25 entries in the feature event are Cheltneham Hunter Chase winner Lilbitluso (Joe O'Shea) and Full Trottle (Laura Thomas), and last season's John Corbett winner Now Ben. Trainer Phil Rwoley said of his course winning 9 year old, "He's really well and there's not a lot else to say about him. I'm happy with him although he may need the run." The Aintree Foxhunters is the long term target for Full Trottle, and Laura reported, "He's in really good form and misbehaving enough to tell me he's well. He goes on most ground and I hope he's in as good form as last year."
Now Ben was fourth in a driving finish here last January behind Vincitore, under Sarah Rippon. "The Ripper", who trains from Henrietta Knight's illustrious East Hendred yard, is hoping for a repeat. "I'm champing at the bit and on my way to the gym right now!" she laughed. "I've been trying hard to keep fit and riding a lot for Harry Whittington. The horse is super-fit and raring to go, but I said something unprintable when I saw the entries and will be keeping an eye on the ground, If it's soft, we'll go."
Sacre Toi showed useful pointing form last year and will be a debut ride for 16 year old George Daly, nephew of trainer Henry. "George rode a pony that I trained for his mother Louise," new trainer Julie Mansell exaplianed how she came by the horse. "He's got experience in pony racing and hunting, and (husband) David thought he'd learn more in an Open than among Novices."
Talking of professional trainers, two faces more usually seen under Rules will be represneted as owners on Sunday: Nicky Henderson with Ericht for daughter Camilla, and Oliver Sherwood with Rouge Et Blanc. Big Casino and Desert Spring are others dropping back from the professional game, while Mon Parrain or Pentiffic have Hunter Chase form.
"Why is it raining?" lamented bubbly trainer Fran Moller, who ideally wants good ground for her DanDan. However, she's pleased to be getting him to the track in one piece, remarking,"He had a nasty fall at Andoversford last seaon and the vets were pessimistic. But he's only nine, so I carried on with him. He had a nice long holiday, has been taken steadily and schooled well last week."
The 21 race Jockey Club Mares Maiden Series starts with 12 entered for the Barbury event, co-sponsored by NAF. Richard Bandey and Lynn Redman are double-handed here, and the Wolverton handler reported of his two entries Bastante and Elska: "David Phelan bought her at Doncaster, and I liked her in the catalogue as a potential broodmare. She was placed in Ireland. Elska on the other hand has grown and strengthened since last season. We've had her wind done, and she's a proper mare now".
The best pointing form on show is shown by Axelle Wall's Festival Dawn, second at Chaddesley, of whom Will Biddick is an intriguing booking, whilst Sally Alner's Big Love has placed form over hurdles for Harry Fry. Katie Lee's The Spider Catcher is highly regarded, and Phil Rowley is sweet on the chances of Pique Rock, , who previously ran for Alan King. "She'sa lovely filly by King's Theatre," he confirmed. "She ran well in the Mares Bumper at Cheltenham then lost her way. We broke her in for Juliet Minton, so we knew her already when we took her back."
The closing Maiden is again sponsored by the Valley Equine Hospital at Lambourn and has 19 entries, four of which are double-entered in the Mares contest. Two who stand out on Pointing form are Richard Bandey's Irish Legionnaire, second at Kingston Blount in his final outing last season, and Troed Y Melin, runner-up three times in 2016-17, including here on his debut. Several of these have fom under Rules, notably Draco's Code (Gary Moore), and Champagne Ginger and Sulamani The Late (DanSkelton). Locally based Laura Thomas said of the latter, "he may not run if the ground cuts up but I bought him at Doncaster in May and I'm really excited by him. He's been my little project from day one and he;s not put a foot wrong yet."
It often pays to look out for a lightly raced type in races like these and a few come from stables with a good first time out record, including Nicky Sheppard's Playbook, Sally Alner's Truly Spoken,and U No Like for Mary Vestey, who had success last year with Silver Roque. Keep an eye too on Phil Rowley's unraced four year The Sting, by Scorpion. "He's a nice busy little horse," Phil reported. "Warren Greatrex had his full brother Potter's Approach, and he'll run if he schools well this week."
Last season's meeting saw the successful introduction of a Conditions race for horses that have not won for two years, set up to cater for older types who would find it difficult in Open company, and is sponsored for the first time by The Surrey Cook. Just six have been entered with Jason Warner's American Legend highest rated on Pointing form. Milled is also consistent in Points, while Shangani was the same for Venetia Williams under Rules, but the most interesting run ner is Fran Nimmo's Rendezvous Peak, under Will Biddick, in the absence of the injured Tabitha Worsley. "We bought hm from Gordon Elliott at Ascot for the Picnic Partnership we run (a few shares still available!)" confirmed Fran. "We think he'll benefit form a switch to a smaller yard, and although he can be a bit free, we hope he'll go close if he stays."
The current going is Good To Soft.
Buy your tickets now
